Child's Birth Year
2006

State/Province/Territory
Florida

NICU Hospital for my journey
UF Health & Shands Jacksonville Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Danielle was born at 28 wks weighing 2 lbs 9 oz.
She was born on Saturday and on Thursday, which was Thanksgiving day we received a call saying she had taken a turn for the worse. Her only hope was a blood transfusion and we needed to sign papers at the hospital immediately. They also needed to drain fluid from her ventricles. Dr She had hydrocephalus and when the doctor showed us her scans he said she would most likely have some brain damage from the pressure caused by too much fluid in her ventricles. We were very blessed that she only spent 6 long weeks in the NICU. She has had issues with her eyes and heart due to her prematurity. The doctors and nurses are miracle workers. Our little miracle is here today because of them.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
We are so Proud of Danielle, our miracle baby. She proved the NICU doctor wrong.. She has made straight A’s on every report card so far. She is excelling in her honors and AP classes. She is a member of National Honor Society, BETA, Student council and many other clubs. After high school graduation next year she is planning to attend UF to major in chemistry followed by attending medical school to become a doctor in the field of cardiology. She has over come many challenges and still continues to make us proud.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2 lbs 9 oz

Weeks Gestation
28 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
6 Weeks